
The Top 10 Men's Health Issues
Men die at higher rates than women and, on average, die younger than women. So, what are the causes and what can men do about it?
Jun 21, 2017
Family & CaregivingBeth brings a unique combination of sharp business expertise and women's health insight to her leadership of the organization. Beth has worked in the health care industry for more than 25 years helping to define and drive public education programs on a broad range of women's health issues. She launched and has expanded the HealthyWomen.org brand. As a result of her leadership, HealthyWomen was recognized as one of the top 100 women's health web sites by Forbes for three consecutive years, and was recognized by Oprah magazine as one of the top women's health web sites. HealthyWomen now connects to millions of women across the country through its wide program distribution and innovative use of technology.
Beth is responsible for the business development and strategic positioning of HealthyWomen. She creates partnerships with key health care professionals and consumer groups to provide strategic, engaging and informative award-winning programs. She serves as the organization's chief spokesperson, regularly participating in corporate, non-profit, community and media events. She also is a practicing nurse in maternal child health at Riverview Medical Center- Hackensack Meridian Health, in Red Bank, NJ.
In addition to her nursing degree, Beth holds degrees in political science, business and public administration from Marymount University.
To stay sane, she loves to run and compete in road races. She enjoys skiing and sailing with her husband and young son, and welcoming new babies into the world.
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We all know that when it comes to men and women, differences abound.
I'm sure you can create a list of facts to back that up.
But when it comes to men's and women's health, one difference is troubling: Women outlive men, and that gap is widening, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). On average, women outlive men by more than five years.
Men also die at higher rates from most of the top 10 causes of death, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, flu/pneumonia, kidney disease, accidents, and suicides. And, they die at higher rates in general, reports the Men's Health Network (MHN).
Although many major health inroads have been made in the past hundred years—and continue to be made—the gender gap has persisted.
Some possible reasons contributing to this trend? Smoking, diet, lack of exercise, alcohol and substance abuse, and a lack of routine medical care. Societal factors, like aggression and violence, risky behavior, work and life stress and the ensuing lack of proper social support (or hesitation to reach out for help) can make men even more vulnerable to illness.
It's obvious that what all this means is that men need to pay attention to their health. Rather than ignore, procrastinate, deny and defend, they need to face health issues head-on.
Because women often take charge of the health of their families, you may want to make sure the men you love are taking care of their health.
Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH, and an MHN board member, says the diseases that affect men are the result of lack of health care monitoring earlier in life. Remember, many diseases, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, have no symptoms, so it's especially important to stick to a regular schedule of wellness visits.
Awareness, early screenings, adopting healthy habits with good nutrition and exercise all go a long way toward narrowing the ever-widening health gender gap.
June is a good time to be reminded of this, because it's Men's Health Month. Men can take the opportunity to learn the biggest threats to their health and take steps toward a better, healthier life.